How to Avoid Boston Traffic

[beamjockey]

The Boston Globe has an article about a new company, started by MIT grad students, working on a flying car. The Terrafugia Transition is a roadable airplane with folding wings.

Comments

[drzarron.livejournal.com]

Interesting, but I don't like their folding scheme. That accordian fold looks more complex than it needs to be, it also look awkward folded. I simple single fold, triangling over the body would be easier and look nicer.

Just the designer in me.

[bwittig.livejournal.com]

I suspect that the accordian wings are more aerodynamic on the road. (Completely baseless speculation, of course.)

MIT trains Engineers after all, so it would make sense!

[drzarron.livejournal.com]

Hmm.. not that I can see. In that stack vertical position, you'd have more drag than in a single layer fold.

[ckd]

They also look like they really kill your field of view when in road-mode.

[bwittig.livejournal.com]

continuing baseless speculation (grin)

I think they are far enough back and close enough to the body not to be that much of an impediment.

My aerodynamic argument is based upon the animation showing the wings folding flat side to flat, leaving the two rounded edges exposed. If the wings went up in to the more aesthetically pleasing single layer fold the rounded surface would be on the inside. This would compress the air going into the leading edge of the triangle, then expanding as they taper off at the trailing edge. My guess is that would cause more drag.

Around here we should be able to find a rocket scientist to totally debunk my speculation!